CONSUMABLE AUDIO

CSS Make Love to Vancouver

2008-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

CSS live @ The Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, B.C. September 17th 2008
(Words by Kenzie Ann Wade / Photos by Meg Bourne)

My nights always change. I generally plan to hide in my tiny apartment, cramming more information into my brain then humanly possible, doing tedious lab assignments and hanging out with my cat. I sit in envy about everything my friends get to do while I am watching the clock tick and struggling to not fall asleep. For the record biology text books are the best sleeping pill you will ever own. Anyways, moving on... next thing I know I'm in line to see CSS play at one of my not so favourite venues in one of my not so favourite cities.I used to listen to CSS quite a bit but as the months went on I found myself listening to them less and less. Everything I heard about CSS playing live was something that sounded like it was out of a horror story. Rumors lead me to think their sound was terrible live and, that it really did not translate over as nicely as it did in recordings, but that they still has the solid stage presence. Needless to say I went into this show not expecting much. Was I ever wrong.First off the stage was amazing. Balloons tied off everything, a giant cardboard cut out of Britney Spears adhered to the mic stand and CSS in giant silver letters hanging in the back. Secondly they did deliver that great stage presence that I was expecting. They are a very entertaining band to watch. Loads and loads of energy. Thirdly the sound was so polished you could close your eyes and it would have been like listening to them with CD quality. I was throughly impressed.To top it all off they actually had a decent light guy. Every show I have been to at the commodore has has sub par lighting. This time around I actually felt like a moth, I was so attracted to the lights. Everything up on stage was just perfect. Everything about the band was just perfect. The vocals, the guitars, the bass, the keyboards the drummer, their dancing, seriously everything about them just blew me away. This show was probably one of the best shows I had been too in quite some time. I totally recommend seeing them live.

--------------------------------------
CSS Vancouver set list:
1. Jeager Yoga
2. Paris Hilton
3. This Month
4. Left Behind
5. Off The Hook
6. Rat Is Dead
7. Move
8. Music
9. Alcohol
10. Jamaican Flag
11. Air Painter
12. Lets Make Love
13. Alala
--------------------------------------

CSS - "Alala" . MP3 (zshare)

CSS - "Move" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Kenzie Ann Wade

CSS get their Move on

2008-09-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

CSS's new video for "Move" directed by Keith Schofield.

CSS swing by Vancouver, B.C. on September 17th! The rest of their "CSS vs. The Summer" tour dates are as fallows:

09/05/08 - Bestival, Isle Of Wight

09/11/08 - Uma Bar,Monterrey

09/12/08 - TBA, Mexico City

09/14/08 - Monolith Fesival @ Red Roc, Denver, CO

09/15/08 - In The Venue, Salt Lake City, UT

09/17/08 - Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC

09/18/08 - Showbox, Seattle, WA

09/19/08 - Roseland Theater, Portland, OR

09/20/08 - Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco, CA

09/22/08 - Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

09/24/08 - The Glass House, Pomona, CA

09/26/08 - Stubbs, Austin, TX

09/27/08 - Austin City Limits, Austin, TX

CSS - "Move" (Cut Copy Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

CSS - "Move" (Frankmusik's Club Bingo Dub) . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

3 songs

2008-09-02T17:40:00.000-07:00

As of late, these 3 songs have been stuck in my head every day. So, I thought I'd share...

Tones On Tail - "Go!" . MP3 (zshare)

Buzzcocks - "What Do I Get?" . MP3 (zshare)

Joy Division - "Digital" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

Arctic Monkeys vs. Queens Of The Stone Age

2008-08-27T18:01:00.000-07:00

Well, this should be interesting.

Queens Of The Stone Age's Josh Homme has told NME.COM that he is set to enter the studio with Arctic Monkeys in the USA next month to produce new songs for them.

Homme explained that the Sheffield band will fly to Joshua Tree, California next month to record new tracks.

"I think it's going to work out great," Homme told NME.COM. "They want to submerge themselves in a place that's the opposite of where they're from and what they're used to."
-www.NME.com

This will either be pure genius or just plain horrible. What do you think?

Arctic Monkeys - "Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" . MP3 (zshare)

Queens Of The Stone Age - "No One Knows" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

Juiceboxxx takes over 1/2 Alive

2008-08-26T02:09:00.000-07:00

Juiceboxxx live @ 1/2 Alive at Pub 340, Vancouver, B.C. August 22nd 2008
(Words by Sarah Fischer / Photos by Meg Bourne)

It was with an air of great aprehension that the crowd at Pub 340 last friday night watched a tall, lanky white kid by the assumed name of Juiceboxxx take the stage with the intent of rapping. He began his set by giving the crowd a warning. "I'm gunna start this off a little unconventionally," he said, "then, for the next 25 minutes, everything's gunna be alright". Throwing himself down cross legged, back to the growing queue of people, the young rapper thrashed about for one entire song before jumping up and beginning his set.Juiceboxxx had more energy and more passion than i've seen in a long time. He climbed stacks of speakers, knocked glasses on to the floor (at one point he took a handfull of broken glass and threw it at his face), swung from the ceiling and pushed his way into the center of the crowd, throwing it down all the while.
All in all it was a hugely entertaining show. Be sure to keep an ear out for Mr.Boxxx, for I hope to hear a lot more from him in the near future.

Juiceboxxx - "ThunderJam III" . MP3 (zshare)

Juiceboxxx - "Sweat" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

www.myspace.com/officialjuiceboxxx

www.halfalive.ca

Posted by Sarah Fischer

Let's get Reatarded

2008-08-23T00:50:00.000-07:00

Jay Reatard live @ The Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, B.C. July 26th 2008
(Words & Photos by Meg Bourne)

I'm a little late with this post, laziness aside, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to say about the show. In fact, I'm still not. And I mean that in a good way, a really really good way...

I'm the kind of girl who normally purposely misses the opening act at concerts, but this time I went just to see the opening act. Jay Reatard opened for Les Savy Fav at The Commodore Ballroom on July 26th and, judging by the crowd, I wasn't the only one who could care less about LSF. A small crowd had formed at the front of the stage, I made my way into it and heard mumbles of 'Jay this' and 'Jay that'. I asked the girl on my right who she was here to see, she winked, nudged me with her elbow, and said nothing.Jay took to the stage at 9:45pm, "The pressure's on" he chuckled as his hair flipped forward and covered his face entirely. Without a second pause, he switched his beer for his guitar pick and... everything after that is pretty much a blur. I don't remember much of his set, except for the fact that it was awesome. I have vague memories of my favorite songs, beer being spilled, beer being replaced, running, hair flips, impromptu guitar solos, more hair flips and not knowing where one song ended and the other began.

I'm pretty sure those are the key signs of a good show. At least as far as I'm concerned they are.

--------------------
Jay Reatard's Vancouver set list:
1. Blood Visions
2. It's So Easy
3. My Shadow
4. Such A Shame
5. Not A Substitute
6. See/Saw
7. An Ugly Death
8. Nightmares
9. Fading All Away
10. Hammer I Miss You
11. Waiting For Something
12. Let It All Go
--------------------

Jay Reatard - "Nightmares" . MP3 (zshare)

Jay Reatard - "It's So Easy" . MP3 (zshare)

Jay Reatard - "I Know A Place" (Tyler Fedchuk edit) . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

www.myspace.com/jayreatard

Posted by Meg Bourne

Vancouver gets Feisty

2008-08-12T15:28:00.000-07:00

Feist live @ Deer Lake Park, Vancouver, B.C. August 5th 2008
(Words by Suzy Sabla / Photos by Meg Bourne)

As a performer, it is really hard to find a fine balance between delivering what a crowd wants to hear all while sharing with them a unique performance beyond their expectations. Tuesday evening at Deer Lake Park, Feist gave everyone the best of both worlds. A healthy mix of I-pod anthems, heart-tugging love songs, and covers unfamiliar to most was paired with an aweing live shadow show projected behind the performance throughout the night.

Feist, skipped her way onto stage in a cute and dainty little white dress with neon coloured accents, a straight fringe cut right across her forehead, and a keen smile on her face. Backing her up was a full band (piano, percussion, drums, bass, and guitar) all dressed head-to-toe in white.The night began with a handful of hits, including Mushaboom, from her debut album, Let It Die, and, My Moon My Man, during which a camera zoomed right in on the song’s selling point, right up close to the jumpy keys during a hooky and jazzy piano riff.

Feist’s energy is high, and her love for song is obvious in her excitement and interaction with her audiences. She brings to the stage not only the immaculate nature of her craft as a songwriter, but also the charisma of her character. Calling the crowd a nautical people, as she stood before the setting sun behind the lake, Feist directed the mermen and women of the crowd into vocal harmony, whilst joining in with the words of Honey Honey, an eerie, trance-like ballad.

This year has left Feist with a great deal of success under her belt. She has much to be proud of; a Juno award for pop album of the year, a Grammy nomination, and the impossible-to-miss I-pod commercial featuring the catchy sing-a-long single, 1234. It is without surprise then, that when Feist uttered the magic numbers everyone applauded with animated approval. Her vocals during this track channeled the eclectic New York songstress, Regina Spektor, another artist whose performances give an ode to experimentation, one performance and the next never the same.The night hit a climax during the final pre-encore song, Sea Lion Woman, which blended extended instrumentation, clap-along stature, and beautiful vocals distorted and faded like you were listening through your grandpa’s gramophone. And lost among the beautiful chaos, Feist disappeared behind the stage as we all waited for the inevitable.

It was not long before she re-appeared, lantern in hand, thanking us all for inviting her back out. Three more songs were delivered, including an intimate performance of The Water. Feist hid behind a screen, a stunning silhouette a la Alice in Wonderland, growing and shrinking as her stage hands moved the flames of the lantern farther and closer away to match the rhythm of her piano playing.The final song of the night was best described by the melodious performer herself as, “leaving a little puddle of sadness at the bottom of [our] hearts.” Let It Die, a song that could bring any estrogen-packed being to tears, sang honest lyrics, “The saddest part of a broken heart, isn’t the ending as much as the start.” And then, she was gone once again, breaking our hearts for good.

Feist - "1234" . MP3 (zshare)
Feist - "1234" (My!Gay!Husband! Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Suzy Sabla

Like A Martyr Takes Us To The North

2008-08-11T20:37:00.000-07:00

Like A Martyr puts the image of 70s rock and giving 'er into my brain.

I have to admit that I don't listen to the radio so I can't make any modern references, but part of me thought that they sounded similar to very old My Chemical Romance (only with a more rock'n'roll gung-ho-guitar-solos like flavor to the sound, and no emo tears) crossed with 80s power rock.

The lyrics suited the guitar riffs, and the songs flowed well with each other. I was surprised that the recording was so clear since with indie bands the quality of the sound usually suffers; but not with L.A.M.

This band's sound is radio friendly, and it probably won't be long before they're invading the airwaves. I have to admit that rock is not my natural forté, but I can appreciate that this will be appealing to a lot of people. Check out their new disc "The North" when it spins its way near you.

Spread the word, Like A Martyr is coming for you!

Like A Martyr Myspace
Like A Martyr Facebook Fan Page
Like A Martyr Official Site

Posted by Victoria Potter

Pemberton gains recognition

2008-08-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

Pemberton Festival 2008, July 25th - 27th
(Words by Sarah Fischer / Photos by Roksan Yazman)

On Friday, July 25th fifty thousand excited festival-goers packed themselves into cars and onto busses all headed towards the small, and to many previously unknown, town of Pemberton BC. Some were on their way to dance and drink in the Bacardi B-Live tent to such unforgettable acts as Chromeo, MSTRKRFT and The Crystal Method, others were strictly indie fans and spent all their time at the Lillooet stage enjoying Black Mountain, The Fiery Furnaces, Buck 65, and other bands of the like. The majority of the crowd hung around the main stage all weekend, but who could blame them? The Mount Currie stage was firing out huge names one after the other for three days of intense musical education. From Nine Inch Nails to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, from Jay-Z to Coldplay, every band gave a performance to blow minds.The first day was scorching hot, and getting to the actual festival grounds was no picnic. Thousands upon thousands of people lined up along the tarmac at the local airport with their gear, all waiting to be herded and crammed onto small and sticky yellow school busses. The security was far less than organized, changing the plan every hour and yelling at anyone that misunderstood. Honestly, it’s surprising that more people didn’t drop from heat exhaustion since there were no vendors at the airport and therefore no way to get water or food.The campgrounds were insane, tents as far as you could see in any direction, their inhabitants swarming around looking to party like ants in search of food. It was so hot and so dry that the ground (which was comprised of mainly straw and dirt) soon became a looming dust cloud which filled everyone’s lungs and hung menacingly over the crowd. Within hours every body was covered in a thick film of sweat which the dust clung to creating a grayish hue. Oddly enough the filthy conditions became part of it all, and the little clothing kiosks sold out of all their scarves and bandannas within the day.By the last day of the festival it was raining, but nobody let that dampen their spirits. People were breaking down their tents and lining up to shuttle their things back to their car in preparation for a speedy departure that night. Clean up was hectic, and many resorted to hitch-hiking for the tenth time that weekend in order to avoid the chaos of the shuttles. Everyone returned to the festival flustered but contented to know that they were all ready to go at a moments notice. Once Coldplay took the stage everything else seemed to melt away and was replaced by the ultimate fond farewell. Many new friends and faces would never be seen again, and that unique festival feeling would have to be stored away until next year.

Posted by Sarah Fischer

Metronomy breaks hearts

2008-07-29T11:18:00.000-07:00

Ever since I heard their first new single, "Holiday", I've been awaiting the day when I would get to hear more from their upcoming/new/leaked album, 'Nights Out'...
Well, I've listened to the whole album now (about a million times) and it's becoming one of the best albums I've heard all year.

That's all I have to say. You can judge for yourself... here's one of my favorite tracks from 'Nights Out':

Metronomy - "Heartbreaker" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

I'd kiss Katy Perry

2008-07-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

And I'd like it.

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (MR GASPAR Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (Dr. Luke & Benny Blanco Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

Katy Perry - "I Kissed A Girl" (Kosovo Remix) . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

"My Drive Thru" music video

2008-07-10T22:30:00.000-07:00

Click here for more info, plus the MP3.

Posted by Meg Bourne

Cute songs about cute things

2008-06-23T13:30:00.000-07:00

It's around this time every year that Brendan Benson's songs get stuck in my head. He has a way of making the perfect summer songs, there's just something about them.... I guess witty lyrics and cute melodies never get old.

Brendan Benson - "What I'm Looking For" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "You're Quite" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "Alternative To Love" . MP3 (zshare)

Brendan Benson - "Sittin' Pretty" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

myspace.com/brendanbenson

Posted by Meg Bourne

Albert Hammond, Jr. gives us Spanish lessons

2008-06-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Albert Hammond, Jr. is stepping up his game. The Strokes guitarist is releasing his second solo album, ¿Cómo Te Llama? (which means "What's your name?" in Spanish), on July 8th and seems to have snagged himself yet another blonde supermodel girlfriend. But all of this makes me wonder; what about the rumored 4th Strokes album? Weren't they all supposedly in the studio? Albert's solo career is taking off, I don't blame him for wanting his own 15 minutes of fame. Plus, with Strokes bassist Nikolai Fraiture also doing his own solo project, cleverly titled Nickel Eye, I'm betting this so-called 4th album will be postponed. Unfortunately.

With all of that said, I really like Albert's new stuff and I'm excited for the release of ¿Cómo Te Llama?. But, is it worth postponing a Strokes album for? What do you think?

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Bargain Of A Century" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "Lisa" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "GfC" . MP3 (zshare)

Albert Hammond, Jr. - "You Won't Be Fooled By This" (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

WE♥GIRLS

2008-06-17T02:09:00.000-07:00

An all-girl summer mixtape!

Featuring some of our favorite female artists and remixes - new and old! Download ConsumableAudio's "weheartgirls" mixtape for free:

"weheartgirls" . MP3 (zshare) (40:14 | 36.8MB)

1. Roxy Cottontail - "You Don't See NYC"
2. Lykke Li - "I'm Good, I'm gone (Fred Falke Remix)"
3. Yelle - "Je veux te voir"
4. Roisin Murphy - "Cry Baby"
5. April March - "Chick Habit (Osymyso Relapse)"
6. Estelle - "American Boy (feat. Kanye West) (Kill The Noise Remix)"
7. Madonna - "Nobody Knows Me (Mount Sims Italo Kiss Mix)"
8. Bonde do Role - "Quero Te Amar (Douster remix)"

Posted by Meg Bourne

Goodbye M.I.A.?

2008-06-15T00:16:00.000-07:00

Many sites and blogs are reporting that M.I.A. announced that Bonnaroo Festival would be her last show...ever! She announced her retirement three times during her Friday night set at the Tennessee festival...

"“This is my last show,” the rapper told fans at least three times from the stage of That Tent, “and I’m glad I’m spending it with all my hippies.""
-------------------------------------------------------------
"“Thanks for coming to my last gig,” she said, amid noise that continued well after she was gone."
-The New York Times

She's probably just kidding - but if she isn't, she just made a really bad career move!
Her sophomore album, "Kala", was one of the most original/one of the best albums to drop in 07. Maybe she's just a strong believer in the saying "Quit while you're ahead"...I mean, she is engaged to a billionaire now... But the line should be drawn somewhere - dontcha' think??

M.I.A. - "Jimmy" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne

This is how you make 'low-budget' look good...

2008-06-10T03:20:00.000-07:00

Metronomy's new single "Holiday" drops on July 7th.

Posted by Meg Bourne

Santogold + The Strokes + N.E.R.D. = "My Drive Thru"

2008-06-09T14:15:00.001-07:00

As we mentioned earlier; Santogold, Julian Casablancas and Pharrell are teaming up to do a song about converse...

Well, it's finally been released!

N.E.R.D. ft. Santogold & Julian Casablancas - "My Drive Thru" . MP3 (zshare)

"The Strokes singer, Julian Casablancas, Santogold, and Pharrell Williams from N.E.R.D. have joined forces in a new Converse ad to coincide the centennial anniversary of the shoe company. The ad campaign will be called, Three Artists, One Song. The One Song is entitled “My Drive Thru” and has Pharrell on the production wheels as Santi and Julian take the backseat trading verses as the song riffs along. "My Drive Thru" will be released for free download June 10th at the Converse website."
-CosbyKid

Thoughts?Thoughts?Thoughts?

www.converse.com

Posted by Meg Bourne

Crystal Castles...fail!

2008-06-08T01:36:00.000-07:00

CRYSTAL CASTLES live @ Richards on Richards, Vancouver, B.C. June 6th 2008
(Words by Sarah Fischer / Photo by Meg Bourne)

It was with great excitement and anticipation that people filed into Richards on Richards this Friday and brought the bar to capacity. Tons of fans were denied access at the door and even some of those on the guest list got turned away. The last time Crystal Castles were supposed to play in town the show was cancelled due to a car accident, so it was a sort of make up gig and everyone was expecting the best. Now, the band was originally scheduled for 10pm, but due to some complications they were pushed back to midnight. The fans stood there enjoying their drinks, emptying their wallets at the merch table and enduring the sticky heat that was being generated by all the bodies packed together for an extra two hours longer than scheduled. By the time the band finally took the stage another half hour had passed, and people had even begun to boo. Dressed in an oversized Leonardo DiCaprio t-shirt, stretchy black skirt with blue leggings and some ratty pink converse, the vocalist, Alice Glass, looked fresh out of junior high. The whole thing was so young, so rehearsed, so…boring. The vocals were too quiet, the lights were too dim, and the energy was non-existent. After making the crowd wait four and a half hours after doors, two and a half hours late, Crystal Castles only played for half an hour. I left the show angry, uncomfortable and utterly unimpressed…I would liken the whole experience to the first time I had alcohol poisoning.

Crystal Castles - "Vanished" . MP3 (zshare)

Crystal Castles VS Health - "Crimewave" . MP3 (zshare)

Crystal Castles Myspace

More Crystal Castles photos by Meg Bourne

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Sarah Fischer

Vancouver goes Blonde

2008-06-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

THE LONG BLONDES live @ Richards on Richards, Vancouver, B.C. May 30th 2008
(Words by Michelle Swami / Photos by Kris Krüg)

The Long Blondes. If you have lived or been to the UK in the last three years you have probably heard of them. They were labelled the “next big thing” and their first CD “Someone to Drive You Home” was a hit in their native UK with the song, “Once and Never Again” all over the radio. But unlike their British contemporaries, this band was a mixed gender band with incredible chemistry. Also, they inspired the next generation of British teenagers/hipsters to raid their grandmothers closets and thrift stores.

After cancelling their last Vancouver appearance for undisclosed reasons, The Long Blondes were in town to support their new, darker album, “Couples”. Kicking off their set with their first single and first track off their new CD, “Century”, they showed that they can play darker songs, while not entirely changing their style. Singer Kate Jackson showed that she deserved that number seven spot on NME’s annual “Cool List” by coming out wearing a black and white striped t shirt, short high waisted shorts, nylons that resembled bricks which matched the brick wall décor of Richards On Richards and looking like she was ready to rock the crowd of under ninety people. Throughout the set, The Long Blondes went back and forth from their darker, slower new songs to their older pop-punk songs. The crowd was not really feeling their darker, melancholy music and were too busy drinking their Stella’s and talking to each other until the middle of their set when the band decided to play, “Once and Never Again”. This fast number hyped up the crowd and made them gravitate towards the stage. Soon after that song was played, the crowd got more and more energized while the band played more of their older and faster songs. Kate & co. decided to shake things up on stage as well by moving around and dancing which they didn’t do during their new songs. In between their songs thereafter, an older forty-something year old man who was right up-front and centre, decided it would be a good idea to hoot and holler and yell things such as, “shake it!”, “move that ass!” and “sexy!” when the Seth Rogen look-alike drummer, Screech Louder decided to throw a drum stick at him, which actually hit him square on the forehead -- good aim. Unfortunately, even with that little bump on the head, it didn’t stop him from yelling obnoxious things during the set.Closing their short set with an older song “Giddy Stratospheres”, they ended their show with a bang and made the crowd scream for more and did just that with a one song encore of, “Lust in the Movies” which name checks legendary movie actresses, Edie Sedgwick, Arlene Dahl and Anna Karina. By this point, the crowd was pumped and boys and girls alike chanted along to the songs main chorus of, “I just want to be a sweetheart”. It was really a great end to a show that didn’t start out so powerful.

The Long Blondes - "Century" . MP3 (zshare)

The Long Blondes - "Lust In The Movies" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Kris Krüg

We Heart Obama party!

2008-06-05T12:22:00.000-07:00

It doesn't matter that we live in Canada...

Senator Barack Obama made history by clinching the Democratic nomination Tuesday night... and we're gonna celebrate!!

THURSDAY JUNE 19TH

BLASTRAMP
presents
WEHEARTOBAMA

with BLASTRAMP deejays
MY!GAY!HUSBAND!+IAN WYATT+BENJAMIN

with special guests
FRIENDSHIP deejays
JUSTIN ASHLEY + MAREK

THE BOURBON
50 WEST CORDOVA

DOORS AT 10PM
PARTY TILL 2AM

$3.75 BEER
$4.50 DOUBLE HI BALLS
$10.25 PITCHERS

PLUS PLUS PLUS PLUS

WEheartOBAMA is the release party for the limited edition Blastramp Barack Obama Tshirt designed by Logan!
We will have the t-shirts on sale for $15.

! ! ! CLICK HERE TO RSVP ! ! !

Posted by Meg Bourne

Hey Raconteurs, back so soon?

2008-06-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

After beginning their first North American tour in Support of their new album, "Consolers of the Lonely", in Vancouver, B.C. on April 20th - it seems as though The Raconteurs just can't get enough of us! They just announced that they will be embarking on another North American tour this September with The Kills, including another Vancouver date!

9/16/08 - Roseland Theater, Portland, OR W/ The Kills

9/17/08 - Roseland Theater, Portland, OR W/ The Kills

9/18/08 - Malkin Bowl @ Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC W/ The Kills

9/19/08 - WaMu Theater, Seattle, WA W/ The Kills

9/21/08 - Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco, CA

9/22/08 - Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA W/ The Kills

9/24/08 - SDSU Open Air Theater, San Diego, CA W/ The Kills

9/25/08 - Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA W/ The Kills

9/28/08 - Austin City Limits Festival, Austin, TX

9/29/08 - Cannon Center, Memphis, TN W/ The Kills

9/30/08 - Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN W/ The Kills

10/01/08 - The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA W/ The Kills

* A limited number of pre-sale tickets will be available through the pre-sale link at the top of the tour dates page at theraconteurs.com starting tomorrow at 10 am local venue time. *

The Raconteurs - "It Aint Easy" (David Bowie Cover) . MP3 (zshare)

Posted by Meg Bourne

Back to the Future? Not anymore...

2008-06-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

"A big fire broke out early Sunday morning in the backlot and destroyed the iconic courthouse square set from Back to the Future, the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels."
-Perez Hilton

BUMMER!!!

Huey Lewis & The News - "Back in Time" . MP3 (zshare)

Posted by Meg Bourne

Ladytron shake Vancouver

2008-06-01T01:48:00.000-07:00

LADYTRON live @ The Commodore Ballroom, May 23, 2008.
(Words by Suzy Sabla / Photos by Steve Louie)

I planted myself next to the speakers as heavy rhythm was beating into my ear drums, red lights flashing to expose two thin beauties that appeared draped in black, perfect silhouettes. Mira Aroyo (vocals) and Helena Marie (vocals & keys), are only one half of Ladytron, UK's sonic storytellers. Completing the picture are Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu. Both share the responsibility of playing keys, synth, and rhythm boxes to create a very unique electronic sound that has been compared to Air, Stereolab, and today’s answer to Euro-synth like Kraftwerk and New Order.

When the group formed back in 1998, I am sure they were not anticipating the level of acknowledgement they would receive beyond even the electro-cultured European crowds. They've climbed their way up to mainstream-indie popularity, featured this week on the front page of myspace.com.

The set began with a few songs from their new album, Velicifero. The first single, Ghosts, held the opening slot. The song, which features Marie's gracefully mundane vocals, eased the audience into a state of electro-hypnosis. Alternating between her mic and her KORG keyboard in a repeated rhythm was the swinging pendulum.

After a run of songs which had audience members standing with their eyes closed and in tune, came arguably the danciest track of the night, 2002 release, Seventeen. The fun song, with a twist of darkness to it had the ladies on stage singing in unison, "We only want you when you're seventeen, when you're twenty-one you're no fun." Although moments in the harmonies were weak, any overly-recognizable faults were drowned among deep bass and loud drums.When Aroyo took the mic on her own, the audience was taken from the soothing ethereal lullaby of Marie's voice and dragged into what one might describe as vocal apathy. A dreariness in Aroyo's voice helped me imagine a number of Ladytron's songs in another form, punk rock songs specifically. This really shows the band's adaptability among the crowds and the range of influences apparent in their music. Beyond the spellbinding nature of the music, the songs are good.

Towards the end of the show, I decided to move my way to the back of the Ballroom, where I had a clear sight of the entire venue. With disco balls glaring into the crowd, it was like sleepwalking through electro-magic. When I made my way to the back, I was once again stunned by the visuals before me. This show was a striking sight I could imagine being perfect as a live music video if recorded by anyone's handy cam. Any monotony in sound was leveled out with a long-running feeling of awe brought upon by bright lights, silhouettes, and glaring gold backdrops. If you closed your eyes, you could feel the strobe lights flicker against your eye sockets.

The night ended with a handful of encores including two more songs off their new album, and the one single that could get anyone hooked to Ladytron. Destroy Everything You Touch, snapped everyone out of hypnosis for the night, had us dancing, and sent us home. As we were leaving, noticing me with my notebook and pen in hand a man said, “They are the kind of music you want to listen to after you've been out dancing and can calm down and simply bob your head to." Fair enough, so I took out my IPod and did just that.

Ladytron - "Destroy Everything You Touch" . MP3 (zshare)

Click here for more Ladytron photos by Steve Louie

Ladytron official site

Ladytron Myspace

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Suzy Sabla

Living vicariously through "Original motion picture" Soundtracks...

2008-05-31T15:34:00.000-07:00

You know when you hear a song and you're immediately taken back to a certain place and time --- It's not until later that you realize that you've never really been to that place, you just saw it in a move that used that song in the soundtrack? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, living vicariously through "original motion picture" soundtracks is one of my favorite hobbies. So, here are, in my opinion, the crème de la crème of soundtracks....(in no particular order)....

RushmoreWes Anderson always has the best soundtracks, that's a well-known fact. Rushmore has always stuck with me (the music and the movie itself), I'm not sure if it's because of Jason Schwartzman's braces or Bill Murray's beer-gut... but there's just something about it...

John Lennon - "Oh Yoko" . MP3 (zshare)

The Kinks - "Nothing In This World Can Stop Me Worryin' Bout That Girl" . MP3 (zshare)

The Who - "A Quick One While He's Away" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Girl, InterruptedJust like the movie, the soundtrack makes me depressed- in the best way! Oddly enough, the sadness calms me. It makes me wanna lay on my couch and drink tea all day...

Wilco - "How To Fight Loneliness" . MP3 (zshare)

Them - "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Everything Is IlluminatedI love Ukrainian music. That pretty much sums it up.
This movie is amazing, the book is amazing and the soundtrack is the cherry on top. The original score by Paul Cantelon is brilliant. Not only does it go along with the mood of the film perfectly, it also makes for a good road-trip soundtrack - trust me...

Csokolom - "Amari Szi Amari" . MP3 (zshare)

Gogol Bordello - "Bublitschki" . MP3 (zshare)

Tin Hat Trio - "Fear of the South" . MP3 (zshare)

Paul Cantelon (Score) - "Odessa Medley" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Death ProofQuentin Tarantino is the pretty much the topic of all of my conversations. As far as I'm concerned, everything he does is gold - pure gold, and his soundtracks just add a little extra gold to the equation. I almost picked the Pulp Fiction soundtrack instead - but that seemed a little too obvious. Then I thought about about posting the Kill Bill soundtrack, then Reservoir Dogs came to mind, then Jackie Brown - but alas, all too obvious. So, Death Proof it is! Plus, this soundtrack contains one of my favorite songs... ever...

Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - "Hold Tight" . MP3 (zshare)

T-Rex - "Jeepster" . MP3 (zshare)

April March - "Chick Habbit" . MP3 (zshare)

The Coasters - "Down in Mexico" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Ghost WorldThe original comic by Daniel Clowes is one of my favorites. Although the movie is very different than the comic, I thought that the music was a perfect fit for both the movie and the comic...

Mohammed Rafi - "Jaan Pehechaan Ho" . MP3 (zshare)

Skip James - "Devil Got My Woman" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

High FidelityYou can't go wrong with John Cusack. His obsession with "Top 5's" and mix-tapes in this film is hilariously brilliant, and makes for a pretty killer soundtrack...

The Beta Band - "Dry The Rain" . MP3 (zshare)

Stevie Wonder - "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)" . MP3 (zshare)

The Velvet Underground - "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" . MP3 (zshare)

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - "Shipbuilding" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Detroit Rock CityDo I even need to say anything about this soundtrack / movie? Yeah, I thought not...

The Runaways - "School Days" . MP3 (zshare)

Pantera - "Cat Scratch Fever" . MP3 (zshare)

The Donnas - "Strutter" . MP3 (zshare)

Kiss - "Shout It Out Loud" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

The Darjeeling LimitedOk, so this is not only my second Wes Anderson pick, it's my second Jason Schwartzman pick... What can I say? I can't help it... It's really good...

Peter Sarstedt - "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)" . MP3 (zshare)

The Kinks - "Powerman" . MP3 (zshare)

The Rolling Stones - "Play With Fire" . MP3 (zshare)

Kisore Kumar - "Typewriter, Tip, Tip, Tip" . MP3 (zshare)

Joe Dassin - "Les Champs-Élysées" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

200 CigarettesA movie about New Years Ever 1981? Awesome! A soundtrack about New Years Eve 1981? No way...

Elvis Costello & The Attractions - "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding" . MP3 (zshare)

Blondie - "In The Flesh" . MP3 (zshare)

Nick Lowe - "Cruel To Be Kind" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Almost FamousObvious choice - I know. Anything with groupies and Patrick Fugit is cool by me.... And hey, having an amazing soundtrack to go along with it - not too shabby...

Elton John - "Tiny Dancer" . MP3 (zshare)

Cat Stevens - "The Wind" . MP3 (zshare)

Led Zeppelin - "That's The Way" . MP3 (zshare)

Simon and Garfunkel - "America" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Wayne's WorldI just wanted a reason to post these songs...

Red Hot Chili Peppers - "Sikamikanico" . MP3 (zshare)

Jimi Hendrix - "Foxy Lady" . MP3 (zshare)

Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

American GraffitiI saved the best for last. This is my favorite soundtrack of all time, for many many reasons...

Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids - "At The Hop" . MP3 (zshare)

Bill Haley And The Comets - "(We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock" . MP3 (zshare)

Del Shannon - "Runaway" . MP3 (zshare)

Chuck Berry - "Almost Grown" . MP3 (zshare)

The Flamingos - "I Only Have Eyes For You" . MP3 (zshare)

The Beach Boys - "All Summer Long" . MP3 (zshare)

(Buy mp3s at: iTunes | Amazon)

Posted by Meg Bourne